PWRDF Responds to Earthquake Devastation in Syria

Anglicans invited to donate in support of relief efforts

Posted February 8, 2023

On Monday, February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake happened near the Turkish-Syrian border. More than 50,000 people have died and thousands more were injured, trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury is urging Anglicans around the world "to pray for all those affected by these catastrophic events and to support relief efforts." Archbishop Justin Welby says he is holding in prayer "those who have been so terribly bereaved, and all those struggling to find warmth, food and shelter."

Bishop Susan Bell offered this prayer on social media: "Loving God⁠—source of all our help⁠—we pray for our siblings in Turkey and Syria. We pray for strength and endurance for all first responders. Be with all who experience loss⁠—especially those in war-weary Syria for whom this is disaster upon disaster. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

The ACT Alliance has many members working in the area who have been responding to humanitarian needs. “As the scale of the disaster continues to be discovered, ACT members are checking in with their own staff teams, conducting rapid needs assessments, and already working to provide life-saving supplies to impacted people,” says the ACT Alliance. 

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has immediately granted $35,000 to the ACT Alliance to support its members working in the area. PWRDF has also allocated $5,000 to the Diocese of Jerusalem, working in Northern Syria. This funding will provide food, water, clothing and medical supplies to those affected by the earthquake in northern Syria. 

PWRDF is also accepting funds to support this appeal. Donations can be made to support PWRDF’s response online, or over the phone by calling 416-822-9083 (or leave a message toll-free at 1-866-308-7973; calls will be returned). Donations can also be made by mail. Cheques can be sent to: PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate Syrian Earthquake in the memo field.

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Reverend Dr. Jerry Pillay, also urged intercessions and prayers from churches around the world to "comfort the ones who lost their loved ones and give strength to those involved in the actions of solidarity with the victims.”

Article updated on February 15, 2023